No fentanyl in candy that 'looks like mint gum' found at Bellingham middle school despite false positive

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Bellingham Public Schools (BPS) announced on Friday that a staff member at one of its middle schools confiscated what appeared to be chewing gum or gummies from a student. After testing the gummies, Washington State Patrol found that the gummites had a false positive for fentanyl. 

Initially, they told FOX 13 that the gummies were positive for fentanyl, but they have since walked back on that.

On Friday, BPS Superintendent Greg Baker sent out the following statement:

"This evening Bellingham Police Department notified us that they have continued to test the gum/candy that was confiscated at Kulshan yesterday. Although the initial results from Thursday evening and today were positive for opioids and fentanyl as we shared earlier today, a full lab analysis was performed late today on the gum/candy and no illegal substances were detected."

"Due to the full laboratory analysis, police do not think there are any illicit drugs in the gum/candy confiscated."

According to BPS, a staff member at Kulshan Middle School confiscated the gummies from a student on Thursday. 

Bellingham Public Schools

The edibles were described as being square, green and lightly coated with a white powder. Staff reported them looking and smelling like mint chewing gum. 

BPS said the Bellingham Police Department (BPD) discovered an opioid known as A17, and GHB – a psychoactive controlled substance often used as a date rape drug. It's unknown if that was a false positive, too. 

Just before 3:00 p.m., Don Almer Deputy Chief of Operations for the BPD released the following statement:

"Bellingham Police Department continuing to investigate, test the substance. There was never a custodial arrest. Bellingham Police are working with the individual, their parents, the school district as well as the Washington state patrol crime lab on the ongoing testing. In the interest of public safety, we applaud the school district taking a proactive approach and getting information out. We want to be accurate and measured in our approaches well which is why we are taking such an expeditious look at this."

BPS is now focusing on educating students about the dangers and risks associated with fentanyl. On Friday, they announced lessons would be shared to students at all of their schools. 

The BPS is encouraging parents to do the same by asking them to be aware of what fentanyl looks like, how children are accessing it, and how to talk to them about it.

BPS says since 2021, Narcan – a nasal spray that reverse the effects of a narcotic overdose, has been available in their high schools.

Anyone with children enrolled in Bellingham Public Schools who would like to anonymously report safety concerns can contact their safety tip line by texting 844-310-9560.